TAKE A DRIVE ON THE WILD SIDE

The Reserve

The Big 5 and other animals roam freely on 96 000 hectares of wilderness. The Reserve also hosts over 1200 plant species, 84 mammal species, 350 bird species and reptiles, amphibians and insects. Book an open vehicle game drive with us where a qualified guide will take you through Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve to spot The Big 5 and so much more.

The Big 5

The Big 5 refer to the African Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo.

Elephant

Each family unit of elephant usually contain 10 individuals and these family units join to form a ‘clan’ consisting of up to 70 elephants led by a female. A single calf is usually born after a gestation period of 22 months and elephants can live up to 70 years, females are fertile between the age of 25 4o 45, giving birth every 3 to 4 years. African elephants mainly eat leaves and branches of bushes and trees, but also eat grasses, fruit, and bark.

African Lion

The African lion is the second largest cat in the world, second to the Tiger. Lions are social creatures and live in a group called a pride. Males lions protect their territory by marking it with their urine, roaring to warn intruders and chasing off any animals that enter their territory. Female lions are the pride’s main hunters, working together to catch antelope, zebra, wildebeest and other large animals.

Leopard

These primary nocturnal animals prefer solitude over socializing. Female leopards are very protective over their young, hiding their cubs for up to 8 weeks, moving them often so that their location remains safe. Leopards are well known for hauling their kill up into the trees to keep it safe from predators. Black leopards, which appear to be almost solid in colour because their spots are hard to distinguish, are commonly called black panthers.

Rhino

Female rhinos reproduce every 3 to 5 years and each calf only lives on its own from the time it is three years old. Rhinos have two horns, which they use to protect themselves. There are two African species of rhino, namely the white and black. These are differentiated by the shape of their mouths.
White rhinos have broad flat lips for grazing while black rhinos gave long pointed lips for eating foliage. Rhinos are strictly herbivores, and the type of vegetation they eat varies by species. Their snouts are shaped differently to accommodate different types of food.

Buffalo

Buffaloes mate and give birth during the rainy season only. New-born calves remain hidden in vegetation for the first few weeks while being nursed and older calves are held in the centre of the herd for safety. African Cape Buffaloes have few predators and are fully capable of defending themselves against predators such as lions. It typically takes several lions to bring down an adult buffalo. Crocodiles usually prey on the old and injured buffalo, while new-born calves are usually easy prey for other predators such as the cheetah, leopard and hyena.

What to Expect from Your Safari Experience

Some of the animals you can expect to see on the safari are white rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, kudu, impala and about 300 species of birds. The Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve boasts the largest population of White Rhino’s in the world.

Passionate and knowledgeable game rangers will give you a unique safari experience, filled with rich history on the area and animals, all while keeping you safe. Your safety is our priority; therefore, all vehicles are equipped with first aid kits, extra water and satellite tracking.

What to take with you

Please bring the following items with you, for your own comfort and enjoyment.

Binoculars

Sunblock

Camera with spare batteries

Light pull over

Safety Tips for your Game Drive

Stay in the vehicle, unless directed otherwise by an official guide. Your safety is of outmost importance, but if you wander off without permission you put your life and the lives of others at risk.

Wear protection. Protect your legs and feet by wearing hard soled shoes and long pants. This will go a long way to avoiding incidents with spiders, ticks and scorpions.

Keep a low profile. Stay under the radar by speaking in a low voice and wearing khaki clothing. Steer away from bright clothing and strongly scented perfume.